If you’re visiting London, your safety should always come first. Whether you’re exploring history, culture or popular tourist attractions, it’s important to stay alert, just as in any other big city. We’ve put together a few safety tips for staying in London to help you get the best from your experience.
How safe is London for tourists?
While there are many busy areas throughout the capital, London was ranked at the 14th safest city in the world, according to The Economist’s Safe Cities Index. The Metropolitan Police has more than 30,000 officers keeping London safe for tourists.
As with any popular tourist destination, there are many ways to stay safe in London – and a lot of them are plain common sense. It’s best to stay in central areas and follow the guidelines of local police, including using licensed black cabs and walking in well-lit areas. From staying safe at night to avoiding scams, here are our top tips for staying safe in London, especially for first time visitors.
Staying safe on the streets
How you conduct yourself is key to avoid being a victim of crime. Plan your route ahead of time so that you don’t appear lost or risk walking into poorly lit areas. While it’s tempting to scroll on social media, your mobile phone could be a distraction. Keep any valuables out of sight such as phones, wallets or jewellery when on the streets. You can use zip pockets or crossbody bags.
The Metropolitan Police website offers many tips on how to stay safe in London as a woman. For example, you can report suspicious activity on the StreetSafe app, or you can even walk with a police officer on the Walk, Talk and Do scheme if you feel your personal safety is compromised.
Where possible, pay with contactless payments to avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Try to walk facing traffic to lessen the risk of theft from vehicles such as mopeds or bikes. Finally, if a stranger approaches you, remain polite but cautious. Make a note of the nearest police station before you head out and walk in that direction if you do feel threatened.
Staying safe on public transport
The tube sees 5 million passenger journeys each day – so ensure you’re safe by only standing in well-lit areas at underground stations. Keep devices like laptops hidden in secure crossbody bags, and be mindful of pickpockets if you’re on a crowded train or escalator. Secure all items like Oyster cards, contactless payment cards, wallets and purses. If you’re travelling at quieter times, avoid empty carriages. You can plan your route in advance with the Citymapper or TFL Journey Planner apps.
If you’re taking a cab, choose a pre-booked minicab service or make sure black cabs are licensed. You can check the licence number on their numberplate or look for a display in the passenger seat of the car. Avoid unlicensed cabs or rickshaws.
Finally, make sure you have emergency numbers stored on your phone. Many operating systems have ‘in case of emergency’ functionality to keep you safe.
Avoiding scams and cons
Victim-based crime rates have fallen in England and Wales over the years, but tourists may still be vulnerable to scams. Be wary when you’re buying tickets for attractions or events – use only certified websites or ticket booths and avoid touts. If you’re buying online, look for signs that they’re genuine such as accreditations from ABTA. Paper tickets may have holograms or barcodes that show authenticity.
Another tip on how to stay safe in London is to avoid ATMs where possible. Try to use contactless payment methods instead. This will also decrease your risk of using counterfeit notes. If anybody approaches you at a cash machine, offering help or asking for money, walk away. Remember that police officers will never ask you for your PIN number. Look for a warrant card to ensure they’re genuine.
Other tactics include using street games such as shell games to lure in tourists. These may be used as a distraction for pickpockets, so walk on and keep an eye on your possessions.
Staying safe in tourist hotspots
Crowded tourist attractions are fun but also pose risks to you and your family members. Avoid wearing expensive-looking jewellery or accessories to lessen your chances of becoming a target. Keep all valuables in a crossbody bag or bumbag, and if you must take photos, make sure your belongings aren’t unattended.
If you’re travelling to or from airports, don’t leave too much identifiable information on your luggage tags. Airports and train stations may be overwhelming, so always listen to announcements and read the signs to stay safe.
Be cautious if anybody hands out flyers or free samples on the street. Look around for pickpockets and keep your belongings close to you.
Staying safe at night
If you’re on a night out, choose a venue in a well-lit location, ideally with CCTV outside. Avoid walking home where possible, but if you must, stick to areas with street lighting and stay in numbers. You can adopt a ‘buddy’ system to make sure you’re all aware of each other’s location.
Alternatively, use licensed cabs or download apps such as Uber and Bolt to organise journeys home. Many of these apps have designated waiting areas to keep you safe, depending on where you are.
There are schemes in place at London bars to keep you safe, for example, you can ‘ask for Angela’ if you’re feeling uncomfortable. Never accept a drink from a stranger and don’t leave your drink unattended. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, tell your friends and leave the venue.
Always charge your phone before a night out, or keep a portable charger if necessary. These are essential tips on how to stay safe in London as a woman, or if you’re in a vulnerable position, for example, if English is your second language.
Safe places to stay in London
While London is generally safe, it’s best to stay in central, well-connected areas. These will have strong transport links to tourist attractions and have security provisions in place, such as higher police footfall and CCTV. Our hotels are centrally located to ensure complete security throughout your stay.
What is the safest part of London to stay in?
Some of the safest areas of London with high accessibility include:
Covent Garden
Westminster
Kensington
Southbank.
These are all close to visitor attractions, and they’re also close to The Clermont, known for their safety and customer service. Book a stay with us to be within easy reach of all London’s famous hotspots, each a quick walk or tube ride away.
Visiting London with The Clermont
The city of London is safe and welcomes millions of visitors each year. To ensure a trouble-free stay, remember to go cashless, keep valuables on your person and plan your routes in advance. You can also use these resources to protect yourself or ask for more information:
Emergency numbers:
Call 999 for police, fire or ambulance services.
Non-emergencies:
Call 101 for non-urgent police matters.
Travel information:
Use the TFL Journey Planner to organise your routes.
Metropolitan Police:
Visit the Metropolitan Police website for more tips on how to stay safe in London.
We look forward to welcoming you at the Clermont for a warm, cosy and safe night’s sleep in the heart of London.
